This was such a sweet story! I loved how feminist the book was and how feminist the characters were. Not to mention that I would die to have a Finn of my own! Quick and wonderful reading, I didn’t want to put this down. Not even for craft projects! Loved the storytelling that felt fresh and engaging. It kept me sucked into the plot and seeing what came next. Great story, will happily read more from this author.!

I love a good second chance romance, this was so much fun! Podcasts/radio shows feel like a really trendy topic for this year, but I really enjoyed this one. The unique relationship between Meave and Finn really helped this book to shine. I loved the banter in this so much, it had me kicking my feet! I definitely need to read more from Betty Cayouette because this was so much fun, and had so much heart!

Tell Me How You Really Feel has a lot going for it—a juicy premise, podcast fame, a complicated exes-to-lovers dynamic, and a modern look at love and ambition. Maeve and Finn’s relationship has real potential, and the alternating timelines between past and present give the story an interesting rhythm.

That said, while the setup is compelling, the emotional payoff didn’t quite land for me. The chemistry between Maeve and Finn sometimes felt more told than shown, and the constant back-and-forth—both in time and tone—left the pacing uneven. Their podcast success was a fun hook, but I found myself wanting more depth in how that success impacted their personal growth.

Still, the banter and behind-the-scenes podcast world were entertaining, and fans of second-chance romance may find enough here to enjoy. A solid read, but I hoped for a little more spark and cohesion.

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Betty Cayouette
Pub Date: 5/7/25
Format: ebook/audio hybrid
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Are you a fan of friends to lovers romance??? How about podcast-centric books? If so - this book just might be for you!

Finn & Maeve are cohosts of a mega popular podcast called Tell Me How You Really Feel where they discuss their past relationships, sex, and all sorts of fun relationship topics. Maeve is a therapist and Finn is a celebrity/nepo baby and their dynamic has created a heck of a fan base and a huge deal with Streamify to elevate their podcast game!

The only problem? They suck at actually telling each other how they *really* feel.

I thought this book was cute, but the characters were a bit tone deaf and grating to me at times. I also feel like we didn’t get a whole lot of their chemistry on page to where I had a hard time getting invested. Throw in an iffy third act conflict, and I just don’t think this book reached its full potential.

The audiobook is narrated by Brittany Pressley which is always a plus, so I would still say it was an enjoyable enough read. Just not top of my recommendation list!

Thank you to Netgalley & Macmillan for the advanced ebook in exchange for my honest review!

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Betty Cayouette is a slow burn second chance romance with a dual timeline and dual POV. This book had a lot of potential, but it just didn't live up to it, and that's how I really feel.

The book follows Maeve and Finn who are trying to navigate Finn's truly incredible f-up after signing a multi-million dollar deal with a Spotify-like streaming service for their Call Her Daddy-like podcast. For context, the f-up was that Finn calls Maeve while they are "on a break" to ask her for permission to date "the one that got away." Then in the middle of the book it is revealed that <spoiler> he is getting paid more for the podcast she created and edits while he is comic relief.</spoiler> While he does apologize and seems sincere in both instances, I think that his f-ups are too big to be looked past so I didn't like him.

I think we started where the third act should have been and then the entire second conflict of the book should not have existed. I would have been less likely to absolutely hate Finn if we weren't fed how he's just a chill guy who doesn't realize when he messes up. Another thing that was weird was that I think it just regurgitates therapy concepts but neither of the main characters use any of it. On the bright side I thought that that the family scenes for both of them were sweet. I also enjoyed their friendship when they were just being people not falling in love. Sadly, I don't know who I would recommend this book to.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin, and Betty Cayouette for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A contemporary read dealing with topics of equality, social media and anxiety and a streaming show about sex. While there is a solid attempt to put the romance as the focus, it actually revolves around the three topics. This second chance romance goes back and forth so many times making it feel like the romance of the story is somewhat lost. The plot is slow moving and a repetition of equality in different ways. It overpowers the romance of the book. The book is easy to read and the streaming topic is funny and entertaining at certain parts. However, the book had more of a serious focus than a relaxing one.

Maeve and Finn are podcasters and have just received the deal of a lifetime the problem is they can barely stand other. Maeve really wants this deal to workout she just has to figure out a way to keep Finn from sabotaging the whole deal. Fun read that jumps into flashbacks to when the podcast started and what is happening now. Follow the two and see if they can go back to a time when they cared about each other or will the hate they feel now ruin everything?

I have loved following Betty’s tiktok rise to fame and enjoyed her first novel! I was excited to get access to her second. I loved the sex and relationship podcast aspect, as well as the discussion around anxiety, mental health, and gender equality. Sometimes it felt a little like I was reading a brochure about those topics and it could have been finessed a little more. Overall, enjoyable and I’ll continue to follow Betty!

Tell Me How You Really Feel is Betty Cayouette’s romance about podcasters adjusting to newfound fame and a relationship that has gone sour. The story is told in dual timelines and provides a behind-the-scenes look at the podcasting industry.

Maeve and Finn have a sex and relationships podcast, Tell Me How You Really Feel, which has gone viral and led to a life-changing, blockbuster deal. Unfortunately, their relationship has disintegrated to the point where they can’t stand to be in the same room. While Maeve is focused on keeping their podcast going, Finn is determined to win Maeve back.

Maeve and Finn have very different backgrounds. While he comes from Hollywood royalty and gets preferential treatment due to his connections, Maeve is battling anxiety and bumping up against the glass ceiling. The big irony of this story is the miscommunication between Maeve and Finn, who are “relationship experts”. They act immature and don’t follow their own advice, making it hard for the reader to really root for them to succeed as a couple.

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) e-book from St. Martin’s Press for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I think Betty has such a unique voice and it truly shined in this. I adored this book! It was such a great romance and I really enjoyed it. It was fun, flirty, and really got you in your feels! I think Betty is such a great voice in romance and I can’t wait to see what comes next!

I was a bit torn on this book. On the one hand I liked that the story tackles mental health and gender inequality. Those topics are incredibly important and made me want to keep reading the story. The actual chemistry between the two MC’s was a whole other issue. I found it hard to believe they had ever been friends and honestly I had no clue why he would like her. She was really insufferable and it just made me annoyed how many times he bent over backwards for her. Also, that ending had me rolling my eyes. So, great topics but lame characters so that left me at a 2.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC!

Tell Me How You Really Feel was a great read! I loved the refreshing honesty about intimacy between the two leads. One small criticism I have was the opening - it really felt like we were walking in the middle of the story, and it wasn't a natural beginning for me. Otherwise, I really loved the romance and the characters.

Thanks again for the ARC!

I read "Tell Me How You Really Feel" by Betty Cayouette on NetGalley. This is the story of Maeve & Finn, two friends from college who start a podcast together that ends up being wildly successful. They talk about relationships and sex. But their relationship is mixed into it all also. I really enjoyed this story.

Maeve and Finn have just signed a record-breaking podcast deal for their sex and relationship podcast Tell Me How You Really Feel. The only problem is that Maeve refuses to be in the same room as Finn after he broke her heart.

This had a really fun premise that floundered in the execution for me. I found the miscommunication between Maeve and Finn to be beyond frustrating, and at times I found Maeve to be completely insufferable. Her lack of belief in herself and her limiting beliefs continued to sabotage her life basically the entire way through. Finn deserved better from her as both a podcasting partner and romantic partner. I had a really hard time rooting for them to make it work.

Some readers may still love this, especially if they love:
*Miscommunication
*Friends to lovers
*Celebrity nepobaby x normal girl
*Only one bed
*Then & now storytelling

I really wanted to love this one - based on the blurb and the authors previous works, I thought I would really enjoy it. But this fell flat - and the characters grated on my nerves - causing me to dread finishing it.

The one highlight of this book is Maeve’s anxiety and how it’s written and discussed in the story. It’s a great representation of what anxiety is like and we as a society need more honest takes on it - so this piece was well done!

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Betty Cayoutte is a light-but-thoughtful blend of banter, friendship, and romance—without the spice. If you're looking for a character-driven story that explores deeper issues under the guise of a rom-com, this might just hit the mark.

Maeve and Finn co-host a relationship podcast where they give advice to others, but (ironically and frustratingly) they cannot seem to communicate clearly with each other. That contradiction is part of what makes this book both intriguing and at times exasperating.

Maeve’s anxiety is incredibly well written—raw, relatable, and thoughtfully portrayed. Her inner dialogue and struggles felt real, and I appreciated how the author didn’t shy away from showing the impact of mental health, especially in romantic and professional dynamics. The book also touches on sexism in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, adding depth beyond the usual rom-com fare.

That said, Finn tested my patience more than once. He often came across as inconsiderate and self-centered, and while that may have been intentional, it sometimes made the chemistry feel uneven.

The podcast premise was a lot of fun and gave the story a modern, unique hook. I loved the behind-the-scenes moments and how the public persona of their relationship clashed with the private messiness of their emotions.

Overall, this is a solid read with a great concept, some memorable moments, and an important spotlight on anxiety and communication. I just wish the characters had been a little more self-aware and the romance a touch more balanced.

Tell Me How You Really Feel is a second chance romance between best friends. I was intrigued by the premise of this book but unfortunately this was not for me. I just did not relate to the characters at all which makes it hard for me to enjoy a story. I also didn't love some of the decisions that were made and the whole miscommunication trope in general.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a review!

I loved the characters, especially Maeve. Her struggle to be treated equally with male counterparts in the workplace ring true, and she has a lot of bravery and perseverance in pursuing her goals. Finn is also an appealing character, although frustrating at times, but that is true to life, too. Their relationship has a believable arc, with its setbacks not seeming too contrived. At times I felt that Maeve even judged Finn's actions a bit too harshly, but she has the self-awareness to apologize for some of her behavior as well and doesn't consider him to be solely at fault in their battles and misunderstandings. The reality of Maeve's life being complicated by coping with intense anxiety is also a theme here.
The secondary characters also emerge as real people rather than stereotypes, for example, Cassidy, the 'other woman', and Finn's celebrity parents.
The story flows well and keeps the reader engaged throughout.

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Betty Cayouette is a hate-to-love romance and the story of Maeve and Finn.
 
Maeve is the heart behind the Tell Me How You Really podcast, and she started it in college with her best friend Finn. I loved how their podcast highlighted relationships from different angles and it's very honest, open and sex positive and I would totally listen to something like this. Maeve wants to help people and therefore also got her psychology degree and I loved how she was very self-reflective and dealing with her own issues. I also liked how this story and Maeve talk about feminist issues like the gender pay gap or having to work extra hard to gain any recognition.
 
Finn is a nepo baby and he comes from a wealthy family and his mother is a famous actress. He has also starred in a few movies and knows the high society world very well. Finn is like a golden boy whom you can only like, and he must learn to go his own way and not to take his privileged position for granted. I also loved his parents, especially his mom who was so encouraging.
 
These two met in college and you follow them over several years and I really enjoyed seeing some chapters from the past. I listen to podcasts myself and it was so interesting to see a behind the scenes of that as well. Maeve and Finn are very different people, and the story is a roller coaster of emotions, and they go from hate to love while it’s also a second chance romance. You get to know them so well over the course of the book and they aren’t only a great team but make a stunning couple as well and I was totally rooting for them. Also, the cover showing the Met Gala scene is just iconic.
 
Tell Me How You Really Feel is such a really great romcom and I adored Maeve and Finn’s story. 4,5 stars.
 
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)

This book was really great. Filled will all the banter, love, tension, and hilarity that I always expect when reading a rom com. Definitely one of my favorites so far this year. Hooked me from the first few chapters!